Full Duplex

What Does Full Duplex Mean?

Full duplex (FDx) is a bidirectional type of communication system where two end nodes send and receive data signals at the same time, and a single carrier is simultaneously used for dual communication.

Techopedia Explains Full Duplex

To send or receive data, the participating nodes in a FDx system do not have to wait for a free carrier/medium. This type of system typically employs a medium that has at least two internal channels – one for sending and one for receiving.

One of the most common examples of FDx is a phone system, which enables bidirectional communications. Another common example is a computer modem, which may be used to receive and send data at the same time.

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Margaret Rouse

Technology Expert

Margaret is an award-winning technical writer and teacher known for her ability to explain complex technical subjects to a non-technical business audience. Over the past twenty years, her IT definitions have been published by Que in an encyclopedia of technology terms and cited in articles by the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine, and Discovery Magazine. She joined Techopedia in 2011. Margaret's idea of a fun day is helping IT and business professionals learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages.

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